I love using a real menorah, don't you? The seven branch menorah throughout Scripture represents the presence of YHWH. The first mention of it is in Exodus and the last in Revelation. We use it on Feast Days, for Shabbat dinners, special occasions and sometimes just because. The only downside is that afterwards it tends to look something like this:
To scrape this wax off would take approximately forever, and it's easy to scratch your menorah if you employ a knife to assist you. Not to worry though, there is a better way!
It only requires three things: an oven, baking sheet, and a sheet of parchment paper for easy clean up. You could also use foil if that's what you have on hand. Place the parchment on the baking sheet and lay the menorah on it's side.
Place your oven on low heat. The lowest temperature mine would allow is 170°. Place your metal menorah in the oven and let it go for five minutes. It doesn't take long for it to warm up and for the wax to run right off! You will see small puddles of wax on your parchment paper as in the photo below. If there is still wax on the menorah leave it in for another five minutes or so. The time this takes will vary based on what type of wax is on your menorah, its thickness, the heat of the oven and so on.
Once the wax has all dripped off carefully remove the pan from the oven and let the menorah cool. It will be very hot!
Doesn't that look so much better? And it only took five minutes and no scraping! This is my go-to for the menorah cleaning. I hope you find it beneficial as well!
I haven't tried this with glass but I don't see why it wouldn't work. Glass tends to withstand heat very well so it should do just fine at whatever your lowest oven setting is. I've had success with all the metals I have tried. I hope it works for you!
Can this method be used with a pewter hannukiah? Pewter has a pretty low melting point. I've always put mine in the freezer to get the wax really brittle and then it comes off more easily, but it's still a pain. This way looks SO much easier!
It should be okay as long as your oven is set at 200° F or below. The melting point for pewter is more like 400° F, and it only takes a couple of minutes for the wax to melt. You could even preheat your oven to its lowest setting and then turn it off to be on the safe side.
Yep, it works great with any metal candlestick and should be fine with glass as well. Occasionally I see candle holders with rubber 'feet' so I would watch out for those.
SOOO cool!!! Todah Rabah for sharing!
ReplyDeletewonderful to know...thanks for the tip
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU! our Hanukiah Menorah is a mess - used cheap candles this year! Appreciate the tip.
ReplyDeleteJust came across this. Can it work for with glass and metal? My menorah has a thick glass base with metal cups.
ReplyDeleteI haven't tried this with glass but I don't see why it wouldn't work. Glass tends to withstand heat very well so it should do just fine at whatever your lowest oven setting is. I've had success with all the metals I have tried. I hope it works for you!
DeleteI run it under hot water in the kitchen sink. Melts right off and kess likely to harm glass or mixed metals. Works on porcelain hanukkiah as well
DeleteI would be careful about making sure that the wax doesn't go down your drain. That could get clogged and be an expensive repair.
DeleteCan this method be used with a pewter hannukiah? Pewter has a pretty low melting point. I've always put mine in the freezer to get the wax really brittle and then it comes off more easily, but it's still a pain. This way looks SO much easier!
ReplyDeleteIt should be okay as long as your oven is set at 200° F or below. The melting point for pewter is more like 400° F, and it only takes a couple of minutes for the wax to melt. You could even preheat your oven to its lowest setting and then turn it off to be on the safe side.
DeleteI assume that this method also works for Shabbat candlesticks as well?
ReplyDeleteYep, it works great with any metal candlestick and should be fine with glass as well. Occasionally I see candle holders with rubber 'feet' so I would watch out for those.
Deletei liked this tips
ReplyDeletethanks
Amazing! It works very well. Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteAfter 70 years of struggling I finally a way to clean my menorah. THANK YOU
ReplyDeleteI did this the other day. Thank you this works wonderfully! Shabbat Shalom
ReplyDelete